Evaluation of Provider Profiling in Public Sector Substance Abuse Treatment

Few evaluations of provider profiles and performance measurement in publicly funded substance abuse treatment exist. This study examined a 7-year period in which the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services alternately implemented, suspended, and reintroduced profiling of treatment agencies. The profiles contained quarterly statistical reports indicating the agency's performance and peer comparison on percentages of clients connecting to lower levels of care and readmitted to higher levels of care. Neither measure changed during the first profiling period, but both improved during the second. Although adjustment for concurrent initiatives may be incomplete, profiling proved somewhat beneficial.